TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
Help! I think I might becoming anorexic. Everyone I know in my family tells me I am skinny, but I don't feel skinny. I am about 90 pounds and I am five foot 3, which the internet tells me I am just above being underweight and that I am currently at a healthy weight, but I don't want that; I want to be very thin. I don't want to be anorexic because my dad tells me if I become anorexic he will have to sell the house to pay for my treatment. I need help, I want to lose a little bit of weight and learn to be happy with who I am and NOT be anorexic!

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hi! Firstly, I want to thank you for reaching out to us here at TEEN LINE. It's great that you're able to realize you are in a difficult situation and you are looking for a solution. The weight and height that you gave me concerns me because I'm looking at a chart of heights and weights right now and I see that a person who is 5'3" should be about 111-124 pounds. I'm concerned about you and your situation; it sounds like you could be battling with something very difficult.

Do you have any close friends, family members or maybe a counselor that you could talk to about this? Maybe it would even be a good idea for you to see a doctor. Anorexia is a serious disease which could lead to major health issues and even death.

I'm going to give you the number to The Eating Disorder Awareness Prevention Hotline - (800) 931-2237. It sounds like you are really concerned about your well-being and I applaud you for that. I hope that you call this number and get the help that you are searching for.

You could also always call us here at TEEN LINE, our number is (310) 855-4673.
TEEN LINE